CostIndexUSA

Tacoma, WA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than Tacoma — 7.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Tacoma, you would need $74,300 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing10.7%
Tacoma
151.3
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries4.0%
Tacoma
104
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation8.4%
Tacoma
112.2
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare8.4%
Tacoma
101.5
Trenton
93
Utilities+21.0%
Tacoma
92.8
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Tacoma to see what you'd need to earn in Trenton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$74,300
$5,700 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.9289. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Trenton, NJ

Median Home Price
$434,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,450
Housing Index
135.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Tacoma has 10.7% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

Trenton, NJ

Median Household Income
$96,200
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
90,871
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Trenton, NJ
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.